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Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

7 My son, keep my wordsand store up my commands within you.2 Keep my commands and you will live;guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.3 Bind them on your fingers;write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”and to insight, “You are my relative.”5 They will keep you from the adulterous woman,from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

6 At the window of my houseI looked down through the lattice.7 I saw among the simple,I noticed among the young men,a youth who had no sense.8 He was going down the street near her corner,walking along in the direction of her house9 at twilight, as the day was fading,as the dark of night set in.

10 Then out came a woman to meet him,dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.11 (She is unruly and defiant,her feet never stay at home;12 now in the street, now in the squares,at every corner she lurks.)13 She took hold of him and kissed himand with a brazen face she said:

14 “Today I fulfilled my vows,and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.15 So I came out to meet you;I looked for you and have found you!16 I have covered my bedwith colored linens from Egypt.17 I have perfumed my bedwith myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.18 Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning;let’s enjoy ourselves with love!19 My husband is not at home;he has gone on a long journey.20 He took his purse filled with moneyand will not be home till full moon.”

21 With persuasive words she led him astray;she seduced him with her smooth talk.22 All at once he followed herlike an ox going to the slaughter,like a deer[a] stepping into a noose[b]23 till an arrow pierces his liver,like a bird darting into a snare,little knowing it will cost him his life.

24 Now then, my sons, listen to me;pay attention to what I say.25 Do not let your heart turn to her waysor stray into her paths.26 Many are the victims she has brought down;her slain are a mighty throng.27 Her house is a highway to the grave,leading down to the chambers of death.

Wisdom’s Call

8 Does not wisdom call out?Does not understanding raise her voice?2 At the highest point along the way,where the paths meet, she takes her stand;3 beside the gate leading into the city,at the entrance, she cries aloud:4 “To you, O people, I call out;I raise my voice to all mankind.5 You who are simple, gain prudence;you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[c]6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;I open my lips to speak what is right.7 My mouth speaks what is true,for my lips detest wickedness.8 All the words of my mouth are just;none of them is crooked or perverse.9 To the discerning all of them are right;they are upright to those who have found knowledge.10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,knowledge rather than choice gold,11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,and nothing you desire can compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;I possess knowledge and discretion.13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;I hate pride and arrogance,evil behavior and perverse speech.14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;I have insight, I have power.15 By me kings reignand rulers issue decrees that are just;16 by me princes govern,and nobles—all who rule on earth.[d]17 I love those who love me,and those who seek me find me.18 With me are riches and honor,enduring wealth and prosperity.19 My fruit is better than fine gold;what I yield surpasses choice silver.20 I walk in the way of righteousness,along the paths of justice,21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love meand making their treasuries full.

22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[e][f]before his deeds of old;23 I was formed long ages ago,at the very beginning, when the world came to be.24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,when there were no springs overflowing with water;25 before the mountains were settled in place,before the hills, I was given birth,26 before he made the world or its fieldsor any of the dust of the earth.27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,28 when he established the clouds aboveand fixed securely the fountains of the deep,29 when he gave the sea its boundaryso the waters would not overstep his command,and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.30 Then I was constantly[g] at his side.I was filled with delight day after day,rejoicing always in his presence,31 rejoicing in his whole worldand delighting in mankind.

32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;blessed are those who keep my ways.33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;do not disregard it.34 Blessed are those who listen to me,watching daily at my doors,waiting at my doorway.35 For those who find me find lifeand receive favor from the Lord.36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;all who hate me love death.”

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

9 Wisdom has built her house;she has set up[h] its seven pillars.2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;she has also set her table.3 She has sent out her servants, and she callsfrom the highest point of the city,4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”To those who have no sense she says,5 “Come, eat my foodand drink the wine I have mixed.6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;walk in the way of insight.”

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;rebuke the wise and they will love you.9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.11 For through wisdom[i] your days will be many,and years will be added to your life.12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;she is simple and knows nothing.14 She sits at the door of her house,on a seat at the highest point of the city,15 calling out to those who pass by,who go straight on their way,16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”To those who have no sense she says,17 “Stolen water is sweet;food eaten in secret is delicious!”18 But little do they know that the dead are there,that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

Proverbs of Solomon

10 The proverbs of Solomon:

A wise son brings joy to his father,but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.